Scottish Government Announces New National School Clothing Grant

The Scottish Government has announced that it will work with local authorities to increase the minimum school clothing grant.

The Scottish Government has announced that it will work with local authorities to ensure that all areas receive the same amount of funding for the school clothing grant. As a result of this, eligible families will be able to benefit from a £100 new national minimum school clothing grant - regardless of where they live in Scotland.

This new national minimum school clothing grant will ensure that all eligible families receive the same financial support. The grant will also be reviewed every two years, to ensure that the funding remains in line with the cost of living.

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills John Swinney has stated on the Scottish Government website:

“Every child in Scotland should be able to attend school feeling comfortable, confident and ready to learn.

“We know that school uniforms can be a considerable cost for families which is why we have worked in partnership with COSLA to introduce a new national minimum school clothing grant.

“It will help relieve pressure on families, reduce costs of living and remove the stress and stigma which can often be associated with struggling to afford essential school items.”

The grant will be available to families for the 2018/2019 school session.

At this moment, local authorities will determine eligibility for the School Clothing Grant. Currently in order to receive assistance you must be in receipt of a qualifying benefit.

Most Local Authorities Class The Following As Qualifying Benefits*

- Income Support
- Income-based Job Seeker's Allowance
- Any income related element of Employment and Support Allowance
- Child Tax Credit but not Working Tax Credit, and your income is under £16105
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Universal Credit - with a maximum monthly income determined by the local authority.

*please note, that the qualifying benefits is a guidance and may be different in each local authority and may also change for the 2018/2019 school session.

To Apply For Your School Uniform Grant

- For most local authorities, you will need to complete an application form which is normally available at your school office during June or can be accessed from your council website.
- Most council areas will require the application form to be submitted by the end of July to ensure allowances are in place for 2018/2019 session.
- Some local authorities will issue vouchers and some pay funding directly into your bank account.

We will be looking at how each local authority will introduce this £100 minimum school clothing grant in more detail and will update you soon.